The Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) is calling on all lawyers, including their judges, to conform to the standards of their practice, as enshrined under the Rule of Court and the Code of Moral Ethics.
Speaking at the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) Annual Conference Convention, under the theme “Addressing the General Question of Impunity in Liberia: The Implication for Liberia’s Rule of Law System”, the president of AFELL, Philomena T. Williams, said it is precisely the principal mandate on which AFELL was founded.
According to her, it is imperative to note that AFELL is an integral part of the Judiciary, and as such, they are deeply concerned about the claim made by President Boakai on January 22, 2024, while addressing the 55th Legislature, that the “justice system that is to protect the innocents and punish the guilty is marred with inefficiencies, corruption, and lack of public trust”.
Atty. Williams emphasized that, though it is not clear what may have informed that statement, she reiterated, “At this Assembly, we call on all lawyers, including our judges, to conform to the standards of our practice as the assertion made by the President affects us all and should not be taken lightly if we must protect our profession.”
She noted that in Liberia, the rule of law is compromised if the Legislature fails to enact laws or pass on instruments that guarantee victims’ right to justice and permitting perpetrators to walk unpunished.
AFELL’s president added that the rule of law is further undermined if the Executive lacks the political will to stand out against impunity by politically maneuvering to shield and protect perpetrators from punishment against human rights violations.
“AFELL says by that conduct, perpetrators are politically awarded for their crimes and the victims are denied justice under the rule of Law, in clear contravention of our Constitution Chapter III, Article 11 (c), which states that “All persons are equal before the law and are therefore entitled to equal protection of the law,” she expressed.
Atty. Williams intoned that for 30 years, AFELL, with the professional duty to protect human rights violations, has denounced perpetrating impunity and advocated for justice under the rule of law.
She mentioned that in 1994, during the height of the Liberian Civil Crisis, when women and children were killed, women and girls were terrorized, raped, sexually assaulted, and harassed, the women lawyers of Liberia braved the insurgence and endured threats to their security to ensure access to justice for war victims and to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
Meanwhile, the AFELL president said she stands firm with the Liberia National Bar Association for the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court, noting, “We are with you in addressing impunity and shall not be deterred by fear nor threats, as our mandate is waging justice under the rule of law.”
